3 ways to network in 15 minutes
Don’t let nervousness around networking hold you back from this important visibility tactic.
Are you avoiding networking for your business? It’s a big part of visibility and awareness, and if you’ve been putting it off out of nervousness, avoidance or uncertainty, I can tell you for sure it is having an impact on your brand growth.
All you have to do is spend just 15 minutes each workday networking (from the comfort of your couch - thanks internet!), and that adds up to 65 hours a year of making introductions, getting your business out there and finding new opportunities.
Is that not worth it to you? I can guarantee that people spend at least an hour a day scrolling on TikTok and it doesn’t do sh*t for them or their business.
Here are just a couple of ways you can get out there, network for your 15 mins and see real results:
Instagram or LinkedIn - The most obvious social media platforms to start networking on. I’ve made some real business friends through Instagram, and definitely have found dream clients through LinkedIn. The key here is to start from a conversation from a heartfelt and authentic place, rather than a cold pitch. We’ve all received those “DOLL! I’d LOVE for you to try my jewelry line!!” DM’s. Don’t be that ick.
Good old Google Search - You can learn so much from a google search. By simply finding recent articles about your niche or industry, you’ll find out who are the editors and publications who are most interested in talking about your area of expertise. From there, you can introduce yourself to the editor and work up a relationship that may eventually lead to coverage for your brand.
Group like 10th House or Dreamers & Doers - Since leaving New York City, I’ve been very aware of the lack of in-person networking events for women in my area. Virtual groups like 10th House and Dreamers & Doers use a platform called Circle to keep an ongoing dialogue going with hundreds of women, in addition to virtual (and IRL events). The relationships I’ve made and opportunities I’ve found from both groups have more than made up for membership fees.
Of course, networking is a lot less intimidating when you have a game plan and support from a trusted professional.
In the PR 101 course Vision to Voice, you’ll lock in rock-solid brand messaging (so you’re never stumbling over your elevator speech), have access to proven pitch templates, and learn even more ways to create mutually beneficial relationships for your business. It’s the perfect way to start your networking journey on the right foot.
